Hi All.
I have what my wife frequently refers to as paralysis from analysis. Our 4 year old 56" Samsung DLP has developed a stuck mirror. I figure that's as good an excuse as any to get a new TV. From what I've read plasma is the way to go from a picture standpoint. I would like to get something in the 59-60 inch range. I only have around $1400.00 max to spend. Where we live in Western North Carolina there is no place to demo tvs. The Samsung 530 at Sam's club looks just horrible. I figure it has to be settings or no one would ever buy one.
Am I better off with something like last years LG 60pz950 or this years Panasonic 530. Connectivity and apps aren't important as I use my receiver for switching.
As always any input is sure appreciated.

Unless you are not able to purchase a new chip, which a lot of people are still able to, and keeping their DLP's working, I would weigh the costs of keeping this set and fixing it over spending more on one that the spouse may not like. If it was me, I would fix the DLP, place it somewhere else or sell after fixing to offset the cost of the new set.

It would, since the technology has gotten better with sets, since you got your dlp. I would still look at fixing it to get a better sell out if it, if you can.

I agree that new plasmas, such as the ST30 recommended above, would be a nice step up from your DLP. I disagree that you should fix the DLP in order to sell it. I can't believe there is much market for a 4-year-old DLP, whether fixed or not (IMO, you're wasting your money getting it fixed, only to sell it). Most likely, you'll simply arrange for the delivery guy who brings you the new plasma to simply take away the DLP at no extra cost. That's what I did with my 8-year-old DLP (I was happy not to have to pay for removal). Part of my answer comes from the fact that my wife and I do not want strangers coming into our home, which limits the ability to sell it.

I gave my 6 year old Sammy DLP to my buddy who I owed 70 bucks to when I got my ST30, he put it in his hunting cabin. Still had the original bulb with 12k hours on it....usually they go out in 6k at least thats what it said when I looked it up lol.

I was recently presented with the same situation. The light engine in my 2008 57" Mitsubishi DLP began to fail. Apparently Mits is aware that there's a defect involved and has been replacing the part for 1/2 the labor charge for affected customers, even though the set is out of warranty. I may take them up on that, get it fixed, and sell it for a few hundred bucks.

Becauuuuuuse...

I've purchased a 55" ST50 and couldn't be happier. All I can say about the difference is that I'd really hate to go back to rear projection.

Actually it would be the complete opposite. You must have something wrong in the settings on your plasma, if you feel that it is dimmer Sunkist.

Well I guess if I left the plasma on vivid maybe but my DLP was super bright, especially with an all white screen (similar to an LCD). My ST30, and the other two plasmas I have, are much darker after calibration, especially during the day.

What I am talking about, is that the calibration settings may work for me, and I may like them, but they may not work for you or someone else. That is why there should and has to be a disclaimer regarding such.

This^ I am not saying plasmas suck because they are dimmer, I am just telling the OP what difference he/she may notice. It is like looking at LCD and plasmas in a store, the LCD TVs look way brighter too. Just the nature of the tech (plus I used to sell TVs).

Thanks for the replys.
My budget has been a little squezzed. I'm looking at either an LG pz60 450 or a Samsung pn59 530. Anyone have any opinions about these two or any other contenders. I would like to go 59 or 60 inches.
Thanks for any input